Monday, November 7, 2011

The Sweater Slog

The Great Closet Clean Up marches on...slowly. I'm finding it was a lot easier to get rid of a tee shirt than it is to get rid of a sweater. How come? Well, because most of my tees are bought at regular retail stores, while most of my sweaters have come from thrifts. If I need a new black tee, I know I can walk into Target or TJ Maxx and replace it for a few dollars. On the other hand, if I need a new brown turtleneck sweater (which I do), I'm either going to have to be patient until I find a good one at the thrift shop, or it's going to cost me. Result? I'm reluctant to part with the less-than-stellar specimens I already have.


Today I bit the bullet and worked on another batch of these darn sweaters: the pullovers and turtlenecks. I started with eighteen and culled six, including the brown one in the top photo (I loved that sweater) and the red one, a beautiful Ann Taylor...but it's scratchy. Once again, trying everything on in quick succession really drives home the differences between the good and the bad.


Another "tough cull" was this pair of shorts from prAna. They were a clearance rack purchase, but still pretty spendy. Problem was, I never felt completely comfortable in them. They were always sliding down, and they have some awkwardly placed pockets. No use hanging onto them, no matter how much they cost. Out! Overall, I did well on the shorts front. I started with twelve pairs and purged half!


What are the hardest things for you to part with?

6 comments:

Samina said...

My hat's off to you. I suck, suck, suck at purging my closet. Three years later, I'm still regretting getting rid of a slightly felted & too tight red sweater because I could have used the fabric for some other project... Yeah, right! I've got some madras shirts that I haven't worn in years because I want to do *something* with them. It goes on and on....

Anita said...

The hardest thing to part with was my favorite gorgeous dressy dress... way to small for me now and when I finally lose enough weight (notice I say 'when' not 'if'... my new mantra) it will be so out of style and I can't see that one ever coming back into vogue! LOL... Hats off to you, your voyage of closet purging is very encouraging.

Linda Lou said...

I can't get rid of smaller sized clothing because I keep thinking I'll diet and fit into them. Now that is not happening, but I guess its all psychological. I want to fit in them. ;o(

Anonymous said...

I'm like Anita and Linda Lou about my favorite clothes I have loved so much- especially the dressy ones ( the dresses from my children's weddings which I got a lot of wear out of later) and a green cotton velvet or maybe it is fake suede jacket, which has been loved and worn lots. My problem is these clothes don't fit me because I have lost weight. I have found that somethings cannot be made smaller. I could use the fabric for something else but I still need dressy dresses and and a heavy jacket (a nice one) and I need a pair of GOOD grey pants and GOOD black pants and a navy silk pants suit that fit me- and I am sure that someone would like to go into a thrift store and find my pants and dresses and pants suit . That's why I don't refashion some things but donate them. My decision was made today when I was agonizing over a great pair of high waisted wide legged herringbone wool paints, 2 sizes larger than what I wear now. Fortunately, my decision was made for me when I realized that little dark irregular bits were not part of the fabric design but MOTH HOLES. I think that's what they were. Almost a relief to trash them!

Linda

Taryn Day said...

I love your word "spendy".

skippysays said...

I have a really hard time getting rid of dress and skirts. Ok, fine, and blouses and sweaters. So everything really :)
www.saysskippy.blogspot.com